THE TOP FIVE
#5. MOUNT MARIVELES – TARAK RIDGE, BATAAN
When you venture to Mt. Mariveles, you are looking at history for these slopes are the battleground of combined American and Filipino forces fighting the Japanese invaders way back in 1942. Though you may start with a long, hot trek from the foothills to the steep slopes, an oasis of a river awaits you halfway up the mountain. It’s definitely worth the sweat as soon you’ll witness the scenic views of the South China Sea to the West and a bird’s eye view of the beaches of Bataan.
Height: 1,288 meters
Difficulty: Challenging
How to Get There: From Manila, take a bus to Mariveles, Bataan
When you venture to Mt. Mariveles, you are looking at history for these slopes are the battleground of combined American and Filipino forces fighting the Japanese invaders way back in 1942. Though you may start with a long, hot trek from the foothills to the steep slopes, an oasis of a river awaits you halfway up the mountain. It’s definitely worth the sweat as soon you’ll witness the scenic views of the South China Sea to the West and a bird’s eye view of the beaches of Bataan.
Height: 1,288 meters
Difficulty: Challenging
How to Get There: From Manila, take a bus to Mariveles, Bataan
#4. MOUNT KITANGLAD RANGE, BUKIDNON
This range is composed of 5 large mountains with Mount Dulang-dulang as the highest. What awaits the adventurer in you in this high mountain series are virgin forests and unsurpassed biodiversity which includes tasty pineapples! Even Sponge Bob himself would be proud. Add to this, you have 74 avian species for your eyes to feast ( should you be lucky to find them all), Philippine Monkey-eating Eagle including. And a whole range of flora and fauna not otherwise available for a highly-ubanized city dweller.
Height: 2,938 meters
Difficulty: Hard
How to Get There: Get to CDO. Then proceed to Sumilao or Lantapan, Bukidnon via PUJ.
#3. MOUNT APO, DAVAO DEL SUR
A prize catch indeed as Mt. Apo is the tallest mountain in the whole Philippine archipelago. As a dormant volcano, it has three major peaks and a crater that houses Lake Venado, a crystal clear offering bound to entice you to jump in. Mt. Apo requires you go through thick forests and conquer giant boulders. But you’ll find the view at the top truly a sight to behold. And if you’re in luck, meet the endangered Phil. Monkey-eating Eagle to boot!
Height: 2,954 meters
Difficulty: Hard
How to Get There: From Davao City, proceed to Digos or Kidapawan via PUJ.
A prize catch indeed as Mt. Apo is the tallest mountain in the whole Philippine archipelago. As a dormant volcano, it has three major peaks and a crater that houses Lake Venado, a crystal clear offering bound to entice you to jump in. Mt. Apo requires you go through thick forests and conquer giant boulders. But you’ll find the view at the top truly a sight to behold. And if you’re in luck, meet the endangered Phil. Monkey-eating Eagle to boot!
Height: 2,954 meters
Difficulty: Hard
How to Get There: From Davao City, proceed to Digos or Kidapawan via PUJ.
#2. MOUNT KANLA-ON, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL
For its beauty, it’s hard not to fall in love with this mountain. Perhaps the most active volcano in the Visayas, you’d certainly find its hot springs, mini-forests, natural gardens and sulfuric vents extraordinarily astonishing. Word of caution: The mountain has claimed lives in a disastrous eruption in 1996.
Height: 2,465 meters
Difficulty: Hard
How to Get There: From either Dumaguete City or Bacolod, reach Wasay or Guintubdan drop-off points, via bus.
For its beauty, it’s hard not to fall in love with this mountain. Perhaps the most active volcano in the Visayas, you’d certainly find its hot springs, mini-forests, natural gardens and sulfuric vents extraordinarily astonishing. Word of caution: The mountain has claimed lives in a disastrous eruption in 1996.
Height: 2,465 meters
Difficulty: Hard
How to Get There: From either Dumaguete City or Bacolod, reach Wasay or Guintubdan drop-off points, via bus.
#1. MOUNT GUITING-GUITING, ROMBLON
Finally the top of the list. This is not the tallest of the bunch. But its name alone, meaning “saw-toothed mountain” is bound to give you an idea why it is a top catch. A most biologically-diverse forest awaits you after a long walk to the foothills. For its level of difficulty, many mountaineers compare the experience of trekking the 87° slopes and tricky summits as staring death in the eye.
Height: 2,057 meters
Difficulty: Very Hard
How to Get There: Reach Romblon’s Sibuyan Island via passenger ship from Batangas or Roxas City or Kalibo, whichever is most accessible.
Finally the top of the list. This is not the tallest of the bunch. But its name alone, meaning “saw-toothed mountain” is bound to give you an idea why it is a top catch. A most biologically-diverse forest awaits you after a long walk to the foothills. For its level of difficulty, many mountaineers compare the experience of trekking the 87° slopes and tricky summits as staring death in the eye.
Height: 2,057 meters
Difficulty: Very Hard
How to Get There: Reach Romblon’s Sibuyan Island via passenger ship from Batangas or Roxas City or Kalibo, whichever is most accessible.
SOURCE: http://www.topten.ph/2014/05/12/top-10-beautiful-mountains-philippines/